Grave implement



(No Model.)

S. TODD. GRAVE IMPLEMENT.

o. 532,116. Patented Jan-,syiasas.

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SAMUEL TODD, or ALTURAS, CALIFORNIA.

GRAVE IMPLEMENT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 532,1 16, dated January8, 1895.

Application filed March 2'7, 1894:-

and exact description of the invention, such as will enable othersskilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to agrave tool or implement to facilitate theburial operation and lessen the labor of placing the boards on the boxin the grave after the casket has been lowered, and which will obviatethe necessity of entering the grave for this purpose.

The improvement'consists of the novel features and the peculiarconstruction and arrangement of the parts which will be more fullyhereinafter described and claimed, and which are shown in theaccompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of animplement embodying the invention. Fig. 2 is a detail view of thehandle. Fig. 3 is a detail view of the rod. Fig. 4 is a cross-section ontheline -00 of Fig. 1 looking in the direction of the arrow. Fig. 5 is adetail view of the spring holder.

The handle B is grooved throughout its length to form a seat I) for therod A and is provided at one end with a support D. The handle ispreferably of wood and the support of iron and composed of a head dhaving prongs d at its ends and having a shank to form means ofattachment with the handle.

The rod A is longer than the handle and is fitted in the groove b and isadapted to turn and move longitudinally therein. One end of the rod hasa suitably formed handle a which is a loop, as shown. The other end isbent at about right angles to form a support a which Serial No. 505,260.(No modelfi hold the handle in the required position. This keeper iscomposed of a cross-piece m having a depression a to conform to thecontour of the groove 1), and retaining arms n which project obliquelyfrom the ends of the cross-piece and have their free ends broughttogether over the rod A to engage with a series of stops e by means ofwhich the handle is held in the required position.

. In the operation'of the device, the board is held between the supports(1' and a and is laid into the grave and placed in proper position onthe box. By grasping the handle and the rod and turning the latter, thesupport a will'be turned from beneath the board and .the implement,being released, can be withdrawn and used again in precisely the samemanner.

The instrument may also be conveniently used in the handling of hot ironin machine shops, and also lumber in water.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is- 1. Animplement for the purpose described, composed of a handle having alaterally extending support at one end, a rod attached to portcorresponding and adapted to co-operate with the support on the handle,and a-spring holder to secure the handle and the rod in the requiredposition, substantially as set forth.

3. An implement for the purpose described, composed of a handle having alaterally extending support at one end, a rod attached to the handle andadapted to having a limited longitudinal and rotary movement relativethereto, and provided with a laterally extending support correspondingand adapted to cooperate with the support on the handle, a U- shapedspring holder attached to the handle and adapted to engage at its freeends with IOU the stops on opposite sides of the rod and hold the handleand rod in the required position, substantially as specified.

4. An implement for the purpose described, composed of a handle groovedthroughout its length and having a laterally extending support at oneend, a rod seated in the groove and adapted to have a limited rotary andlongitudinal movement therein and provided with a laterally extendingsupport corresponding and adapted to co-operate with the support on thehandle and a spring holder composed of a cross head secured to thehandle and having arms which extend obliquely and engage with theopposite sides of the rod, substantially as and for the purpose setforth.

5. The herein described implement composed of a longitudinal groovedhandle having a cross bar at one end provided with laterally extendingprongs, a rod seated in the said 20 groove and adapted to turn and movelongitudinally therein and having end opposite the pronged end of thehandle bent at right angles to provide a stop to co-operate with thesaid prongs, a stop on the rod to limit its rotary movement, keepers tohold the rod in the handle and a spring holder attached to the handleand comprising two bars which are adapted to engage with the oppositesides of the rod and hold it and the handle inthe required position,substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence oftwo subscribing witnesses.

SAMUEL TODD. Witnesses:

O. O. DANIELS, E. E. COPELAND.

